Gianluca Pescaroli

Gianluca Pescaroli

Associate Professor in Business Continuity and Disaster Resilience. Science lead of #AGILE_EU . Bridging academia and practice using #Systems thinking and lightsabres

United Kingdom
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About

I am trying to develop a risk agnostic approach to High Impact Low Probability Events, cascading and concurrent risk. The practical side of #resilience, using lightsabres instead of ivory towers.

Activity

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Experience

  • UCL

    UCL

    6 years

    • UCL Graphic

      Associate Professor in Operational Continuity and Disaster Resilience

      UCL

      - Present 2 years 3 months

      London, England, United Kingdom

      - Research, teaching and leadership @ the UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction.
      - Director of the Master in Risk, Disaster and Resilience. Enterprise lead + impact.
      - Research areas: operational and organisational resilience, business continuity, emergency management and DRR.

      Teaching (Active)
      - IRDR0017 Business continuity and organisational resilience (lead)
      - IRDR0003 Advanced emergency planning and management (lead)

    • UCL Graphic

      Assistant professor (lecturer) in Business Continuity and Organisational Resilience

      UCL

      - 3 years 9 months

      London, United Kingdom

      Research, teaching and management @ the UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction.

      Director of the Master in Risk, Disaster and Resilience. Stakeholders engagement and impact.
      Research areas: operational and organisational resilience, business continuity, emergency management and DRR.
      Teaching (Active)
      IRDR0017 Business continuity and organisational resilience (lead)
      IRDR0003 Advanced emergency planning and management (lead)
      Teaching (Previous)
      IRDR0002 Emergency…

      Research, teaching and management @ the UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction.

      Director of the Master in Risk, Disaster and Resilience. Stakeholders engagement and impact.
      Research areas: operational and organisational resilience, business continuity, emergency management and DRR.
      Teaching (Active)
      IRDR0017 Business continuity and organisational resilience (lead)
      IRDR0003 Advanced emergency planning and management (lead)
      Teaching (Previous)
      IRDR0002 Emergency planning and management (core module, lead 2019/20, sabbatical cover of Prof. David Alexander)
      IRDR0007 Space weather and technologica failures (lead:Prof. Peter Sammonds)

  • United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction Graphic

    Lead specialist (Systemic risk and resilience, different projects)

    United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

    - Present 5 years 1 month

    (Home based) London, United Kingdom

    Specialist in developing of stress test decision making support tool (Active 2019/20)
    -Support desk based research and assist in taking stock of shocks and stresses (risks, triggers,
    exposures) and disaster risk reduction capabilities (technical, financial, administrative, etc).
    -Generating the contents of the decision support tool including the correlations that allows input of multiple hazard types to compare them against disaster risk reduction abilities with an intent to reduce…

    Specialist in developing of stress test decision making support tool (Active 2019/20)
    -Support desk based research and assist in taking stock of shocks and stresses (risks, triggers,
    exposures) and disaster risk reduction capabilities (technical, financial, administrative, etc).
    -Generating the contents of the decision support tool including the correlations that allows input of multiple hazard types to compare them against disaster risk reduction abilities with an intent to reduce, absorb and transfer the risk.

    - Support for a network of Chief Resilient Officers (2022/23)

  • UCL Consultants Ltd Graphic

    Consultant- Disaster Risk Reduction, business continuity, and operational resilience

    UCL Consultants Ltd

    - Present 4 years 6 months

    London, England, United Kingdom

    Project: Improved decision-making for infrastructure resilience in London.Leading partner: Arup. Client: Greater London Authority. Period: April-June 2020.

  • Post-Graduate Teaching Assistant in Disaster Risk Reduction

    University College London Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction

    - 3 years 11 months

    Londra, Regno Unito

    -Delivering lectures on disaster risk reduction, disaster management, and emergency planning.
    -Thesis co/supervisions, marking, organisation of field trips, invigilating.

  • Research Assistant in Understanding Risk Interactions in Complex Systems

    UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction

    - 5 months

    London, United Kingdom

    -Comparing analytical frameworks and models for understanding risk and crises interactions in complex systems.
    -Developing KE on building space weather resilience in sustainable cities.
    -Developing two “research summaries” for decision makers, in coordination with UCL public policy.

  • Hourly-Paid Lecturer in Disaster Risk Reduction

    Kingston University

    - 4 months

    Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom

    Delivering lectures and seminar on Disaster Risk Reduction, Disaster Management and Business Continuity to undergraduates and postgraduates.

  • Project Researcher in Cascading Risk and Power Failures, Knowledge Exchange Placement (unpaid)

    London Resilience

    - 8 months

    London, United Kingdom

    Developed the project ‘Integrating Cascading Disasters in London’s Preparedness Strategies’. See projects.

  • University College London Graphic

    Project Associate - Cascading Events and Critical Infrastructure

    University College London

    - 8 months

    Londra, Regno Unito

    Development and management of the project "Addressing the Resilience of London’s Critical Infrastructure during Cascading Disasters and Space Weather Incidents".

    Organisation of workshops with national and international stakeholders.

    Creation of the website for IRDR "Research Group on Cascading Disasters".

    Production of guidelines and literature.

    Development of grant applications.

    The project has been awarded with UCL Knowledge Exchange Award.

  • University College London Graphic

    Research and Project Assistant - Cascading Disasters, FORTRESS Project, FP7

    University College London

    - 1 year 1 month

    Londra, Regno Unito

    Coordination of work tasks and deliverables for University College London.

    Contribution to the definition of the interrelatedness and interdependency of systems and infrastructure;

    Evaluation of case studies of cascading crises.

  • COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale Graphic

    Project Assistant

    COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale

    - 4 months

    Tabarre, Port -au- Prince, Haiti


    Supervision of the final phase of the project.

    Coordination of actions for increasing community’s awareness of safe practices and resources against floods and cyclones.

    Dissemination of results and report the activities.

  • University of Bologna Graphic

    Research Fellow - THESEUS Project, FP7

    University of Bologna

    - 1 year

    Bologna

    Applied research and data finding on disaster risk reduction, community vulnerability, climate change mitigation, adaptation. Contribution to the official deliverables and publications by THESEUS project.

    Development of Social Indicators for THESEUS’ Decision Support System.

    Grant applications (FP7): contact with partners, time sheets, pert diagrams, bibliographic researches, work packages.

  • The Observatory on International Politics. University of Bologna Graphic

    Research Trainee (Unpaid, Part- time voluntary work)

    The Observatory on International Politics. University of Bologna

    - 3 years 10 months

    Bologna

    Main activities and responsibilities:

    Bibliographic researches, data finding and data elaboration. Web editing of the site www.foreignpolicy.it (now expired).

    Support to lessons, role play activities, simulations.

    Support to grant applications (P.r.i.n.).

    The web site activity lasted from 01/07/2008 to 26/11/2010 . The research activity from 01/02/2009 to 6/03/2012.

Education

  • UCL Graphic

    UCL

    Research Doctorate Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General

    -

    Thesis subject: Increasing operational resilience in cascading disasters.
    Founding member and coordinator of the Cascading Disasters Research Group @ Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction (CASCADES@IRDR, www.ucl.ac.uk/rdr/cascading).
    Interdisciplinary topics : Cascading risk, disaster management, public policies and governance, social vulnerabilities, climate change, resilience, emergency planning. Specific expertise: decision making under uncertainties, warnings, evacuation…

    Thesis subject: Increasing operational resilience in cascading disasters.
    Founding member and coordinator of the Cascading Disasters Research Group @ Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction (CASCADES@IRDR, www.ucl.ac.uk/rdr/cascading).
    Interdisciplinary topics : Cascading risk, disaster management, public policies and governance, social vulnerabilities, climate change, resilience, emergency planning. Specific expertise: decision making under uncertainties, warnings, evacuation plans, early recovery, scenarios.

    Other activities: Development of inter-institutional networks and international collaborations, organisation and coordination of workshops, meetings and conferences.

    Reviewer for: Scientific Reports; Coastal Engineering; International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction; Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management; International Journal of Information Technology & Decision Making; Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society; Cities; Elsevier Publishing Group (Books).

  • Università degli Studi di Parma Graphic

    Università degli Studi di Parma

    II level Master Emergency Psychology (Community- Based Approach) 110/110

    -

    The course provided specific knowledge on disaster cycle and community- based approach. Relevant internships during the course:
    - Data finding and elaboration for departmental research from 30/1/2009 to 26/3/2009.
    - Application of Community -Based Approach for psycho - social support in the Civil Protection camp of Villa Sant’Angelo (L’Aquila) from 2/5/2009 to 9/5/2009.

  • Alma Mater Studiorum – Università di Bologna Graphic

    Università di Bologna

    Master Degree Local and International Development 110/110 cum laude

    -

    Multi- disciplinary approach focused on sociology, political science and development.

  • Università degli Studi di Parma Graphic

    Università degli Studi di Parma

    Bachelor's degree Local and International Development Economics 110/110

    -

    Economic development, collective action, project cycle management

Licenses & Certifications

Volunteer Experience

  • Arci - Associazione Ricreativa e Culturale Italiana Graphic

    Delegate for International Cooperation

    Arci - Associazione Ricreativa e Culturale Italiana

    - 11 years 9 months

    I was involved in the activity of A.r.c.i. since the early years of University, volunteering in the Commitee of Parma. I contributed to the organization of cultural events promoted by the association, as well as political initiatives. From 2004 to 2010 I acted as delegate for International Cooperation in the Commitee (Charity work). I promoted international development projects, networks, cultural exchanges. I acted as delegate in official meetings with donors and partners, with field…

    I was involved in the activity of A.r.c.i. since the early years of University, volunteering in the Commitee of Parma. I contributed to the organization of cultural events promoted by the association, as well as political initiatives. From 2004 to 2010 I acted as delegate for International Cooperation in the Commitee (Charity work). I promoted international development projects, networks, cultural exchanges. I acted as delegate in official meetings with donors and partners, with field monitoring activities in Kosovo (2004) and Lebanon (2006, 2009).

Publications

Courses

  • CNDS summer school "Natural Hazards in the Anthropocene", Uppsala (Sweden), 2018

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  • Gold Commander Training, Transport for London, London, UK,2016

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  • International Crisis Management Course, National Defence University, Stockholm, Sweden, 2011

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  • Master in Developing European Projects, Venice International University, Venice, Italy, 2012

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  • Senior Course on Crisis Management and Civil Emergency Planning, National Defence University, Stockholm, Sweden, 2015

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Projects

  • CIRCLE (Community and Infrastructure Resilience to Climate-geological Long-term Effects)

    Other creators

  • AGILE (Agnostic risk management for high impact low probability events)

    Follow the Jellyfish!
    https://www.project-agile.eu/

    Other creators

  • ELROND (Designing Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems From perceptions to saving lives)

    https://resiliencerisingglobal.org/designing-multi-hazard-early-warning-systems/

    Other creators

  • ESA - MULTI HAZARD (Earth Observation for high-impact multi-hazards)

    https://eo4multihazards.gmv.com/

    Other creators

  • Building space weather resilience in sustainable cities

    -

    Other creators
    • lucie green

  • Integrating Cascading Disasters in London's Response and Preparedness Strategies

    -

    The project applied the theory of cascading disasters to improve strategic-level awareness of cascading risk and tested the multi-agency capacity to respond to electricity supply disruptions, such as blackouts. Outputs available at:
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212420918300797
    http://www.ucl.ac.uk/rdr/cascading/resources/reports-guidelines/Report_Power_Failures



    Other creators
    See project

  • FP7 FORTRESS-Foresight Tools for Responding to Cascading Effects in a Crisis

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    FORTRESS (Foresight Tools for Responding to cascading effects in a crisis) aims to identify and understand cascading effects of a crisis by using evidence-based information from a range of previous crisis situations. The project is founded by the European Commission and has thirteen partners from eight European countries.

    Other creators
    See project

  • Addressing the Resilience of London’s Critical Infrastructure during Cascading Disasters and Space Weather Incidents'

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    Our activity aims to support a cross-disciplinary partnership on the emerging topic of cascading disasters The operational focus will join research on space weather, social vulnerability and critical infrastructure (CI). Project supported by UCL Knowledge Exchange Champions Award 2015/2016

    Other creators

  • DG ECHO SIRV-TAB-Création d'un Système d'Information sur les Ressources et les Vulnérabilités pour la Préparation aux Catastrophes, la Gestion des Crises et la Gestion Préventive du Territoire de Port-au-Prince, Haïti

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    The project developed a database and a cartographic server on the resources available for disaster management in Tabarre. It analyzed and identified the different aspects of community vulnerability while defining main recommendations for increasing preparedness measures and reactions capacity in the municipality. The final phase of the project is aimed at raising awareness of citizens, educating professionals, and disseminating information on critical resources for emergencies.

    Other creators
    See project

  • FP7 THESEUS - Innovative Technologies for Safer European Coasts in a Changing Climate

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    THESEUS is a major project financed by the European Commission and consists of 31 partner institutes.It aims to develop an integrated approach for the assessment and management of growing erosion and flood risks related to climate change.

    Other creators
    See project

Honors & Awards

  • MAPS Faculty ECR Award 2024

    UCL

  • Integrating earthquake early warnings into organisational resilience

    British Academy/BEIS Leverhulme Small Research Grants SRG 2019 Round

    Natural hazards affect every year millions of people around the world, causing economic and life losses. The fast evolution of technology allowed the development of new measures, such as ‘Earthquake Early Warning Systems’ (EEWS). However, their reliability is often limited and lacking the integration between their engineering and social components.Our goal is to provide some new and impact -oriented insight on the connection between their technical and social components. We will investigate…

    Natural hazards affect every year millions of people around the world, causing economic and life losses. The fast evolution of technology allowed the development of new measures, such as ‘Earthquake Early Warning Systems’ (EEWS). However, their reliability is often limited and lacking the integration between their engineering and social components.Our goal is to provide some new and impact -oriented insight on the connection between their technical and social components. We will investigate which measures could be needed to increase the organisational resilience of local community stakeholders and the private sector (e.g. business and infrastructure providers), deriving new guidelines for improving emergency preparedness.

  • STFC Impact Acceleration Award 2019

    UCL’S STFC IAA KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE AND INNOVATION FUND

    Funding award for the project "Increasing Resilience to Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) failures in London

  • IAHR Editors' Choice Articles 2017

    International Journal of River Basin Management

    IAHR Editors' Choice Articles 2017 for the paper:
    Nones, M., & Pescaroli, G. (2017) Implications of cascading effects for the EU Floods Directive International Journal of River Basin Management,Vol. 14 , Iss. 2, pp.195-204 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15715124.2016.1149074

    The work have been selected by the Editors as representative of the high-quality research published in the journal.

  • Knowledge Exchange Champions Award 2016

    University College London Higher Education Innovation Fund 2015/16

    The UCL's Higher Education Innovation Fund assigned a UCL Knowledge Exchange Champions Award to our project "Addressing the Resilience of London’s Critical Infrastructure during Cascading Disasters and Space Weather Incidents".

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